Franklin Pierce Ross

Obituary: Frank P. Ross, Jewel Tea Co. Head, Is Dead Services for Frank P. Ross of 531 North East avenue, widely known c-founder of the Jewel Tea company, will be conducted at 2:30 on Friday afternoon at his home. Interment will be in Bronswood, in Hinsdale. Mr. Ross, who is well known and beloved in the community, where he was an early resident died suddenly Sunday morning at the Corey Hill hospital in Brooksline, Mass. He had undergone a serious operation a fortnight ago, and was thought to be recovering satisfactorily, although he still was gravely ill. Mrs Ross and his son in law Dr. John Orndorff, wee with him in Brooklin at the time of his operation, and Dr. Orndorff remained with him until a day or two before his sudden death, leaving only when he was well on the way to recovery, and thought to be safely convalescing. Mr. Ross death is a loss to the community, where he has lived for so many years, and his benevolence endeared him to many whom he aided quietly, in many ways, "a friend" said Monday. Before his retirement in 1919, Mr. Ross and his brother in law the late Frank V. Skiff, had built an empire in business, and they developed a horse and wagon vesture into a $88,000,000 enterprise with branches throughout the country. Mr. Ross was born in Wind Ridge, in Greene County, PA., on July 22, 1869, the son of Asa and Mary Fonner Ross, and he was the youngest of a family of 11 children. Mr. Ross never lost his love for his home community, and returned there often. He was a great benefactor of the community, and in respect to all he has done for it, schools will be closed there on the day of his funeral, and flags are at half-staff. Memorial services will be conducted there at the same time as the service will take place in Oak Park. It was at the age of 17 that Mr. Ross decided to "go west" an he located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he learned telegraphy. In the early part of the year of 1887, he took his first position with the Iowa Central railroad, now the M & St. L. railway, at Latimer, Iowa, and he subsequently held similar positions for the road at Alexander, Centerville and Newton, Iowa. He was later promoted to traveling freight agent, and it was in newton, Iowa, where he met Blanche Skiff, with whom he was united in marriage on February 7, 1889. In 1901, Mr. Ross resigned from the M & St. L. Railway company and came to Chicago. with his brother in law, the late Frank V. Skiff, a small store on the south side of Chicago was rented and the Jewel Tea company was started. They had one horse and wagon, at the time, from which they sold tea and coffee, and originated the premium in advance plan. the company grew steadily an by 1916 was sufficiently successful to engage eastern investment bankers in a plan of reorganization, pursuant to which they purchased preferred and part of the common stock of the company. The Skiff and Ross intrust whoever, retained control and continued in the management of the business until 1919 when they relinquished control to the bankers and turned over to them the active management of the company. Mr. Ross, however, continued until his death to hold a substantial interest in the common stock of the company. He continued as a director of the company until about 1922. After his retirement in 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Ross spent considerable time traveling, having taken many world tours. For the past 15 years they have spent their winters in Tucson, Ariz., with occasional trips to California, and it was on the day scheduled for departure he learned that it would be necessary for him to undergo a serous operation. During his years of retirement, Mr. Ross took great pleasure in quietly giving aid to many people, and he was particularly interested in the educational advancement of the younger generation. He made many gifts to the Richhill Township high school at Wind Ridge, PA, having equipped the school with a complete band, furnished a library, and annually gave awards for the students receiving the highest grades. he also granted annual scholarships to the Waynesburg college of Waynesburg, Pa., from which College Mr. Ross later received an honorary degree of doctor of law. He is survived by his widow, Blanche Skiff Ross; two daughters, Mrs. John H. Orndorff and Mrs. Arthur C. Fennekohl, and six grandchildren. Dr. and Mrs. Orndorff with their three children resided in River Forest, and the Fennekohl, with their three children reside in Houston, Texas. He is also survived by two sisters, and one brother, Mrs. Sarah R. Burke, who resided in the old homestead in Wind Ridge, Pa.; Mrs. Anna R. Irwin of Ridgeway, Pa., and James M. Ross of Kimball, Kan. source: newspaper clipping, requested obituary, sent by Oak Park Public Library, received April 29, 2002

Conduct Services for Frank P. Ross. Services for Frank P. Ross, one of the founders of the Jewel Tea Company, and long resident of the village, were conducted Friday afternoon at his home 531 North East avenue. Interment took place in Bronswood cemetery, in Hinsdale. Mr. Ross died suddenly Sunday morning, February 23 at Corey Hill hospital in Brookline, mas., where he had undergone an operation several weeks previously. source: newspaper clipping, Thursday, March 6, 1947 page 111 received April 29, 2002